10 Quotes That Perfectly Sum Up Joyce As A Character

10 Quotes That Perfectly Sum Up Joyce As A Character

Stranger Things, which recently concluded its fourth season, has quickly established itself as one of the best and most popular series on Netflix. With its clever take on 1980s nostalgia and body horror, it has shown how this particular era of filmmaking continues to influence popular culture. Joyce is, of course, one of the series’ best characters, showcasing Winona Ryder’s formidable talents as an actress.

Thus, it is worth taking a look at the many times that she has uttered a quote that did a remarkable job of summing up this extraordinary character.

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10 She’s Messy

“Maybe I Am A Mess. Maybe I’m Crazy. Maybe I’m Out Of My Mind! But, God Help Me, I Will Keep These Lights Up Until The Day I Die If I Think There’s A Chance That Will’s Still Out There!”

Joyce Byers mouth agape at her store

From the very beginning of the series, it was clear that Joyce was passionately devoted to her son Will. In this quote, in particular, she demonstrates her willingness to not only believe in his continuing to be alive but also her belief he was able to communicate with her.

The fact that everyone, including her other son, thought she was more than a little crazy to be doing so made this all the more significant moment. Ultimately, as this quote shows, Joyce is always willing to stand by her convictions.

9 David And Goliath

“You Took My Boy Away From Me! You Left Him In That Place To Die! You Faked His Death! We Had A Funeral. We Buried Him. And Now You’re Asking For My Help? Go To Hell.”

Stranger Things season 4 Joyce and Hopper

Joyce has been rightly regarded as one of the bravest characters on Stranger Things. She is never afraid to tell others what she thinks of them, and this includes those who have hidden the truth from her about her son.

As is so often the case with Joyce quotes, this one demonstrates the extent to which she not only is willing to speak truth to power but also how strong her connection to Will is. It’s this iron strength that keeps her going even when others are willing to give in.

8 Nothing Stands In Her Way

“I Don’t Care If Anyone Believes Me!”

In many ways, Joyce is also one of Stranger Things’ smartest characters. It’s for this reason that the unwillingness of others to believe her is so frustrating, both for her and for those in the audience.

However, she repeatedly shows, in quotes like this one, that she doesn’t really care whether or not people believe or think that she’s crazy. She will always do what she thinks is the right thing for her sons, even if that means going against almost everyone around her.

7 A Mother’s Love

“Will Wanted Me To Give Him Some Space, So I’m Giving Him A Few Feet.”

Even though it is largely a horror show, Stranger Things is also skilled at including very funny quotes like this one. In this case, Joyce makes something of a joke of the fact that her son, as he gets older, wants to get a little bit of space away from his mother.

For Joyce, however, that’s simply not in the cards. As is so often the case, this quote reveals the extent to which she is always going to stand by Will even if, at times, he doesn’t entirely welcome all of her attention.

6 Charging Headfirst Into Danger

“This Thing Has Had Will Long Enough. Let’s Kill The Son Of A B**ch.”

Stranger things joyce enzo murray hopper

There are many reasons why Joyce should be seen as one of Winona Ryder’s best roles. A major one of these is, quite simply, Joyce’s strength and bravery. While others, lacking El’s power, might be more than happy to let others do their fighting for them, this is not the case with Joyce.

As this quote demonstrates, she is the type of person who will always leap into action, sometimes before she even knows what she should be doing. It’s thus impossible not to admire her simple spirit.

5 A Person Of Great Compassion

“This Is Not Yours To Fix Alone. You Act Like You’re All Alone Out There In The World, But You’re Not. You’re Not Alone.”

Though much of Joyce’s storyline revolves around her constant care for Will, there are also numerous moments when she shows how much she cares for Jonathan. In this case, she feels it is her duty as his mother to remind him that he is never quite as alone as he might think that he is.

It’s a powerful testimony to how seriously Joyce takes her duties as a mother. Whatever her foibles, she never wants either of them to feel that they have to fight their battles alone.

4 She’s Just Wise

“They’re Not Little Kids Anymore. They’re Teenagers. If You Order Them Around Like A Cop, Then They’re Gonna Rebel. It’s Just What They Do.”

As the seasons go on, it becomes clear that Joyce is one of the most likable characters on Stranger Things. She has a wisdom that goes hand-in-hand with her desire to want to make the world better for others, including Hopper.

While he is a bit of a blusterer, she wisely points out that he can’t simply act like a tyrant and hope to get what he wants out of his teenage daughter. It’s a moment in which Joyce reveals just how wise she is and, for that matter, how much of a good match she is for Hop.

3 She’s Smart And She Knows It

“Just Because It Wasn’t Your Plan Doesn’t Mean It Was A Bad Plan.”

One of the most refreshing things about Joyce as a character is that she is more than willing to go up against those who dismiss her. In this quote, for example, she makes it clear that she knows her own value and her own mind and that she’s willing to fight for it.

What’s more, this quote also reveals the extent to which she is willing to challenge Hopper when he thinks that he’s wrong, an important moment of development for these two characters in their relationship.

2 She Has A Mind Of Her Own

“You Shouldn’t Like Things Because People Tell You That You’re Supposed To.”

In some ways, Joyce is a character who marches to the beat of her own drum. This is very evident in the first season, and it only becomes more so as the series goes on. With this quote, she says what she believes most explicitly.

She has always been, and probably always will be, the type of person who is not willing to go along to get along. Instead, she will make her own choices and decisions, and she encourages those around her to adopt the same attitude.

1 Stranger Things, Indeed

“This Is Not A Normal Family.”

One commendable quality of Joyce is that she is always willing to be honest. In particular, she knows just how strange her own family must appear, particularly when compared to the other residents of Hawkins.

In this quote, in particular, she shows that she grasps the reality of what it’s like to be a member of her household. While others might be willing to hide from the truth of matters, Joyce will always face them head-on, no matter what they look like.

NEXT: 10 Characters Who Never Interacted With Eddie In Stranger Things

Split image of Friends and Stranger Things

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About The Author

Thomas West
(1220 Articles Published)

Thomas J. West III earned a PhD in film and screen studies from Syracuse University in 2018. His writing on film, TV, and popular culture has appeared in Screenology, FanFare, Primetimer, Cinemania, and in a number of scholarly journals and edited collections. He co-hosts the Queens of the B’s podcast with Mark Muster and writes a regular newsletter, Omnivorous, on Substack.

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